Update: Danville teen shooting death 'doesn't appear to be accidental'

DANVILLE - A teenager found dead following a shooting reported inside the home of Police Chief Wade Parsons Monday night is believed to have been alone at the time, state police said Friday.

The circumstances surrounding the death of 15-year-old Jacob Carver still aren't clear, but State Police Lt. Chris Vetter said he doesn't believe Parsons or anyone else was at home when the incident occurred.

Vetter would not comment on whether the death was a suicide, referring questions on the cause of death to the state medical examiner's office. He said he has not yet seen the autopsy report and hasn't spoken with the medical examiner's office.

A representative from the medical examiner's office said she would have to look up the case before providing the information to the New Hampshire Union Leader.

Vetter said state police continue to investigate the death and that the case may be reviewed by the Rockingham County Attorney's Office.

"Depending on what the investigation finds, that's absolutely a possibility," Vetter said.

When asked if Parsons is under investigation, Vetter said, "We're investigating the circumstances around the death. Is he specifically under investigation? No," he said.

Vetter wouldn't comment on whether any of Parsons' firearms were involved in the incident.

Selectman Shawn O'Neil, board chairman, said he spoke with state police about the investigation and found no reason why Parsons should be removed from his position.

"It's definitely a very tragic event," O'Neil said.

Emergency personnel responded to a 911 call made from the home at 53 Caramel Drive on Monday around 7:15 p.m. to investigate what state police said was an "untimely death."

State police would not confirm reports that a 15-year-old boy had suffered a gunshot wound.

While police haven't officially released the name of the teenager, Timberlane Regional High School made an automated call to members of the school community Tuesday afternoon confirming the death of freshman Jacob Carver, who is the son of the chief's girlfriend. Jacob was a member of the school's football and freshman wrestling teams.

News of the young teen's death stunned friends and others who turned to Facebook to express their grief on a memorial page called "R.I.P" Jacob Carver.

"It's still really hard to believe you're gone man.no matter how hard I try to believe it, I just can't. I just wish we could (have) hungout one last time before you passed. I'll always remember the times we hungout when we were little, like when we went to the aquarium in Boston. I'll miss you dude. Rest easy, man," one friend wrote.

Parsons has been chief since 1995 and is respected in the town and the law enforcement community.

"He's very well-liked in the community and a lot of people are feeling his pain and we're supportive. We all feel his sorrow," O'Neil said.

jschreiber@newstote.com

__

Complete text of earlier article continues below.

Danville gun death a 'tragic event'

DANVILLE - Selectmen are taking no action against Danville Police Chief Wade Parsons after a teenager was found dead following reports of a shooting at the chief's home Monday night.

Selectman Shawn O'Neil, board chairman, said he spoke with New Hampshire State Police about the investigation and found no reason why Parsons should be removed from his position.

"It's definitely a very tragic event," O'Neil said.

State police have said little about what happened inside the chief's home at 53 Caramel Drive.

Emergency personnel responded to a 911 call made from the home Monday around 7:15 p.m. to investigate what state police said was an "untimely death."

State police would not confirm reports that a 15-year-old boy had suffered a gunshot wound.

While police haven't released the name of the teenager, Timberlane Regional High School made an automated call to members of the school community Tuesday afternoon confirming the death of freshman Jacob Carver. He was a member of the school's football and freshman wrestling teams.

State police have not commented further on the circumstances surrounding the death.

The dead teen is the son of Parsons' girlfriend.

News of the young teen's death stunned friends and others who turned to Facebook to express their grief on a memorial page called "R.I.P" Jacob Carver.

"It's still really hard to believe you're gone man.no matter how hard I try to believe it, I just can't. I just wish we could (have) hungout one last time before you passed. I'll always remember the times we hungout when we were little, like when we went to the aquarium in Boston. I'll miss you dude. Rest easy, man," one friend wrote.

Parsons has been chief since 1995 and is respected in the town and the law enforcement community.

"He's very well-liked in the community and a lot of people are feeling his pain and we're supportive. We all feel his sorrow," O'Neil said.